Documentary Judges

Lina Matta

Lina Matta is Senior Channel Manager for MBC 2, MBC 4, Max & Variety and coordinates the programming strategy and vision of the channels while working on achieving the ratings and financial targets set. Prior to MBC, Lina re-launched Dubai One, DMI’s English language TV channel. Lina is also the co-founder of NY based, Brown Hats Productions. BHP produced two award-winning documentaries Running for Bogota and Prison Lullabies, an American online literary talk show, Titlepage.tv, and the Arab film series, ANA Contemporary Arab Cinema. Lina sits on the Advisory Board of the Mohamed Bin Rashed School of Communication at the American University in Dubai (AUD), is a voting member of BAFTA and is a member of the selection committee for the UAE Submission to the Foreign Language Film Award category at the Academy Awards.

Hana Makki

Hana Makki began her career in documentary film working her way up through various production roles from being a runner in the deserts of Liwa to a documentary film producer and director. Hana’s career has taken her to projects in Germany, Yemen, and France, and with a solid foundation in documentary filmmaking has now earned her the role of Senior Producer of Documentary at Image Nation Abu Dhabi. At Image Nation Hana’s work is using documentary creatively for strategic communication, with a focus on documentary films that are coupled with social action campaigns. Over the last few years at Image Nation Hana has produced various documentary feature films including As One: The Autism Project (2014), Batoula (2015), Anwar Roma (2016), and the soon to be released documentary film Back to the Wild (2018).

Pierre-Alexis Chevit

Pierre-Alexis Chevit runs the Doc Corner, the dedicated industry program for feature documentary film professionals at the Marché du Film – Festival de Cannes, as well as collaborating with Cinéma du Réel in Paris, presenting screenings, hosting Q&As, tutoring students, and consulting for independent projects. He is an established freelancer for numerous international film festivals and markets, primarily as project manager or film curator. Previously, Pierre-Alexis worked for events and organizations such as the Short Film Corner (Cannes), Festival Lumière (Lyon), the French Short Film Agency (Paris), Fipa (Biarritz), Festival Silhouette (Paris), Cinéma du Québec Festival (Paris). He also had a key three-year experience in DVD publishing with Doc Net Films, specializing in creative documentaries.